Match detail

Wyatt Crockett walks out for his 200th Super Rugby appearance with his two children. Crocket made his debut against the Highlanders back in 2006. What an achievement!

Kieran Read also makes his first appearance of the season after a long hiatus.

1.00: PEEEEP! We are underway at ‘Wyatt Crocket Stadium’.

3.00: TRY! George Bridge finishes in the corner for his 10th try of the season. The Crusaders went 18 phases after Lima Sopoaga’s clearance did not find touch. 5-0

5.00: MISS! The conversion is wide. 5-0

6.00: Joe Moody was injured in the build-up to Bridge’s try and is off and on comes Crocket for his 200th Super Rugby appearance to a standing ovation.

9.00: The Highlanders have the penalty advantage after the Crusaders illegally sack their driving maul, five metres out. They are also pinged for offsides. The visitors opt for a 5m scrum, just to the right of the posts.

11.00: The linesman tells the referee that there was another offside by the home team. Ben Smith tells Brendan Pickerill that that is the fourth infringement. Mr Pickerill replies that it is three. The Crusaders win the next scrum-penalty.

13.00: Luke Whitelock is caught for sealing off the ruck. Richie Mo’unga kicks to the 22.

14.00: TRY David Havili! The Crusaders go coast-to-coast in typical fashion. Ryan Crotty made the break inside the 22 before Bryn Hall threw a long, floating skip-pass out to Havilli on the touchline, who walks over for the score – brilliant. 10-0

15.00: CONVERSION! Mo’unga adds the extras. 12-0

18.00: Crocket is pinged for collapsing the scrum. Sopoaga kicks to the 22.

19.00: TRY! Luke Whitelock breaks, is tackled under the posts, but offloads to the onrushing support runner Tyrel Lomax, who is over under the sticks. Sensational by Whitelock. 12-5

19.00: CONVERSION! Sopoaga adds the extras. 12-7

21.00: PENALTY! Mo’unga slots the kick from in front. 15-7

23.00: The Highlanders attack is halted for hands in the ruck by Kieran Read. The referee talks to Whitelock about the repeated infringements.

24.00: PENALTY! Sopoaga reduces the deficit. 15-10

26.00: It’s tit for tat with the collapsing penalties at the scrum. This time it’s Lomax who is at the ref’s mercy. Mo’unga kicks to the 22.

27.00: Tei Walden takes man and ball. Liam Squire is first to the breakdown and wins the penalty after Crotty is caught holding. That’s a huge play by Squire. Sopoaga clears.

29.00: Walden is penalised for holding. Mo’unga calls for the tee.

30.00: PENALTY! The first-five eight adds another three. 18-10

32.00: The Crusaders are inside the Highlanders 22 after a break by Read and Crotty. Aaron Smith saves the day, but the home side has an attacking lineout in the red zone.

34.00: The Highlanders with some big defence, affecting the maul turnover and getting the scrum-feed.

36.00: TRY! It’s brilliant by the visitors. Squire wins the turnover, deep inside his half. Aaron Smith and Richard Buckman turn defence into attack. the halfback played Sopoaga on the inside and the first-five broke into enemy territory. He played the fullback on his inside and Ben Smith is over. 18-15

37.00: CONVERSION! It’s a one-point ball-game. 18-17

40.00: Another lost lineout by the visitors and the home team attack.

41.00: The hooter sounds with the Crusaders on the attack.

42.00: TRY! Scott Barrett finishes off a superb move. Crockett made the break, offloaded to Matt Todd, who played the supporting Andrew Makalio. The hooker takes a tackle, looks inside, and sees Barrett. Wonderful try and a typical dagger by the Crusaders, right on halftime. 23-17

55.00: The benches are being emptied which is leading to more mistakes with ball in hand. The game is still open and we WILL see more tries.

58.00: A pattern of play is emerging: Every time the Highlanders get near the Crusaders 22, they knock on or lose the ball forward. The Crusaders are penbalised every time they get into the opposition’s half. Wash, rinse, repeat.

61.00: The game is frantic; both sides looking for more scores. The Highlanders need to get back in the game by scoring next. If the Crusaders cross the whitewash, this game is over.

62.00: Penalty is awarded to the home team. It is 25 metres out and in front of the poles.

63.00: PENALTY! Mo’unga extends his team’s lead to 13. 35-22

65.00: Havili climbs high and takes another good catch. The Highlanders have been using bombs on the Crusaders’ back three in the second-half. It’s a tactic that is back-firing when the Crusaders’ counter-attack. Havili and Bridge have been dangerous with ball in hand.

69.00: TRY! GAME OVER! Mo’unga’s burst of pace sucks in four defenders. He looks wide and throws a long pass to Bridge on the sideline. The winger gathers and is in for his second, and 11th of the season. 40-22